Genealogy Chat

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This may need some specialist knowledge from Yorkshire. Briefly I am looking for the deaths of Robert (1842) and Mary Ann Ferguson 1839. There last child was born in 1874 and in 1878 their children were in Bradford Workhouse. So one assumes Robert and Mary died? They do not appear in 1881 or 1891. I have searched the GRO from 1870 to 1885 (just in case I missed something ) The question is………… was there an epidemic in Bradford around 1878 eg typhoid, and if so were the dead buried quickly without being registered? Any suggestions welcome. John

Hi John. I don't have any answers for you -- but perhaps someone may see this message and provide us with a website that lists epidemics? (There is such a thing for Canadian epidemics and disasters.) I have been wondering about two of my ancestors -- two unrelated ancestors died in the same village in 1811, one was only 39. Hope someone can point us in the right direction! PS What did they do for a living? Are ALL people listed on the GRO? Are any of the children "missing", as well?

Hi John There were lots of epidemics during the 1800's cholera and typhus especially it was to do with the water and living conditions. I did find a site explaining this but unfortunatley can't remember it now. Have a bash typing in epidemics 1800's or even try 1870's and see what happens. It's wortha try if you are stuck Pat Good luck

Thanks for your answers. Lisa all people should be on the GRO it became an offence not to register a BMD in 1873. All Robert Ferguson’s children were registered and his wife. I can track 3 of the 5 children for definite. One I suspect may have died after 1881 (Robert jnr) and Rose Ann there is no trace of but she could have married. I just cannot find any trace of the parents death. I thought I had Mary Ann dying in Sheffield in 1878 but on receiving the cert. it wasn’t her. The other 2 boys don’t mention their father on their marriage cert. I assume because they couldn’t remember his name as they were only 6 and 4 in 1878. Even if they had died of Typhoid etc they should be registered…………so why can’t I find them after 6 months of searching? Pat let me know if you find that site. Cheers John PS If you want to look at them in detail Worldzone.net/family/reddesktop

Amanda, You must have been typing when I was. That's a good suggestion and a possibility, but why can't I find the death of either of them anywhere? I can't imagine they abandoned the kids. John

Amanda I have half come to that conclusion and perhaps they moved for work, left the kids with someone who died and hence the w/house? But if that's the case where are they in 1881? I will let you know John

One of my "brick wall" ancestor's was listed on the 1871 Canadian census as "Joseph" (he was age 44); then on the 1881 Canadian census as "James" (age 54) and yes, it was the same person, without a doubt. (I believe his name really was James Joseph.) Is there any chance your Robert could have used a middle name later in life? Is there any way of checking death records, without incurring huge expenses, for male Ferguson's who were born in 1842? I would be interested in hearing how all this turns out, if you find an answer!

Again thanks for your responses There is a way of checking deaths. In my local library there are, on fiche, all the BMDs for England and Wales up to 1950. I have checked all these uo to 1901 with no luck. I thought I had found Mary Ann's death in 1878 in Sheffield but on receiving the cert. found it was not her. I have looked at all Roberts (inc. the younger one b1868 as he seems to disappear after 1881) and Mary Anns with death ages and none seem to fit. Robert had 2 middle names.......... Harley Archer......... they only appear on his birth cert. ( I think it is a family name as his father marreid a Martha Archer.) Perhaps I should look for deaths post 1901 as they may have survived............ but why can't I find them on 1881 and 1891? John